The Dominican Republic is a country where half the population is counted as poor. The country shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, which is even poorer. There is also a lot of tension and conflict between Dominicans and Haitians. In many cases, working Haitians who employ underpaid guest workers from the Dominican Republic are placed in a very dependent position.

In Hispaniola there are serious problems with deforestation, soil erosion and water supply. In Haiti, the situation is extremely severe, and in the Dominican Republic there are areas where the rivers are running dry and there is increasing desertification.

Many people are forced to leave rural areas, being no longer able or willing to make a living from agriculture. Rural depopulation is a major problem, with only the elderly remaining behind. Half of the rural population is illiterate and have few opportunities in the urban areas that are truly advantageous or salubrious. They ultimately end up in the slums where crime and poverty are rampant. For those who are educated, however, there is a relatively good chance to establish oneself in the growing urban middle class.